You have a pretty good understanding of what needs to be done (marketing-wise) in your business.
You read all the advice (it’s pretty much the same from blog to blog). You know you need a marketing plan. You know you need to do x-y-z on a regular basis.
But you’re not doing it. Why?
I’m pretty sure it’s related to that movie, “He’s Not That Into You.”
You either don’t enjoy doing the marketing (in which case, I’d say hire someone to do it for you). Or, you’re not really that committed to being the CEO of your business. Or both. (Ouch!)
Your heart just isn’t fully in it.
And I totally get it. I’ve been there more than once.
In fact, I’m currently pulling myself out of it (again).
It might happen because you’re the type of person who loves the idea of owning a business. (But isn’t so hot on implementing those things called details.) Or, the feeling can creep up on you because your values are out of alignment with what you’re trying to accomplish.
The truth is, if your heart isn’t in the game, neither is your brain.
And that can be dangerous to your bank account.
How? You don’t finish creating products which means you’re never able to sell them. Or, you don’t give your launch everything you’ve got. (And the sales reflect that.) Or, you don’t feel comfortable asking people to pay you what you’re worth. (So you don’t.)
If you’re not participating full out, I’d ask you to take a long hard look at yourself and your business and ask, “Why?” Did you ever do the work to figure out your Big Why? Or, are you doing this business and marketing thing by the seat of your pants? Going with the flow?
Because at one point in time, you had a mission and a vision for a big impact you wanted to make, right? Can you still feel the power of your Big Why? Does it motivate you enough to find a way over-under-through all the excuses you’ve got about why you aren’t getting things done? (Those things you say you want to accomplish?)
Are you really willing to do whatever it takes to make things happen?
Because even in this economy, it’s still a whole lot easier to just get a job and do your hobby on the weekends.
I guarantee it’s a lot less stressful.
If you think you’re not able to make things happen because you’re not clear about who you are and what you want to do, then hey — knuckle down and work on that.
If you think you’re not getting there because the right people with the right money aren’t showing up, then yep — knuckle down and work on that.
Or if you think you can’t get there because your body doesn’t want to cooperate, perhaps it’s time to pull back from starting a business and focus on caring for that suit you’re wearing.
Are you willing to do the work? If you are willing, then perhaps the issue isn’t your heart, but your head.
And I’m here to tell you that your brain alone is not sufficient to achieve your dreams. You need community: friends, peers, colleagues, mentors and yes — even a coach or two. If you want to make a big impact on this world (or even your inner circle), you must have people you can count on and go to to share both your wins and your losses. To bounce ideas off of and ask smart questions.
Do you have that? Because if you don’t, you need to start now. And also might want to seriously consider joining us in The Digital Dining Room. Or, if you don’t like groups, find a mentor or a coach who can work with you one-on-one (I do that, too).
But first, take some time to figure out why you haven’t been able to fully commit to your dreams. And then, share your reasons in a comment below. Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me why. Or share so others will see they’re not alone. But let’s shake things up!
More From Story Bistro:
Marketing: It’s Not What You Think (and, Why Knowing the Truth Matters)
Am I Doing My Marketing Right?
How to shovel that hype-driven snow off your business (and reset your goals)
How to Get 5-Star Referrals From Your Peers and Colleagues
Can You Fail-proof Your Business?
Game-Changers Wanted: I Need Your Advice
How to Find and Hire the Right Marketing Coach
Tea, you are right. : ) Half hearted gets half-assed results. I want to dig into this concept much deeper for my clients because it’s a big problem and it affects so many. Those who do buckle down are the exception, not the rule. And that isn’t a judgement. Just an observation. It goes deeper than wanting I think. It comes down to grit and what Seth Godin is now exploring as “soft skills” of emotional intelligence, really. Good stuff to think about. Thanks.
Word Chef, you really need to get out of my head! 🙂 The timing of your posts is uncanny – they always seem to address the exact kind of melt-down I’m having at the moment.It’s taken me a long time to realize that I cannot make this happen through sheer brain and willpower. No amount of work or deprivation of joy (and sleep) will give me the ability to will a successful business into existence – I am finally accepting the fact that I need to involve other human beings in the process, which I suppose means I need to stop being a lurker when it comes to social media and start engaging with people in a meaningful way online. While this part of the marketing process probably comes naturally to most people, I personally still find the openness of social media rather terrifying. I thought that I could continue skulking around the Web anononymously since most of my writing and editing work is done as a ghostwriter, but I’ve finally reached that last stage – acceptance – and have made peace with the fact that privacy is a thing of the past and I need to get over these hangups if I want to attract the right kind of clients. So it’s become apparent that my bank account isn’t empty due to lack of brains or heart – it just dawned on me that I’m the Cowardly Lion in this scenario! Bummer. No one likes a wimp! I need to get my hands on some courage STAT … some semblance or organizational skills to manage all the brain work would also be helpful, but one thing at a time, right?I am going to get that About page done if it kills me! By the way, Sandi, I think yours is awesome! If there’s any other stellar examples of About pages out there that anyone can point me to, I’d really appreciate it. I read Stacey Shanks’s page when it was featured on the blog last week and hers is great as well. Thank you as always for all the words of wisdom and dynamite resources, Word Chef!
Just to let you know, i’ve shared this around. now, half-hearted, yeah. i am totally right there. why? teetering on homelessness, no money for heating oil, my whole being is focused on keeping my family warm & dry, and in a bed, not my car. heh. i’ve also been brain storming since watching the youtube replay of the google+ hangout the other day. i’ve got 3 solid ideas mapped out. 2 biz and one fun blog possibility. you’re completely right. The main biz we’re trying to work, we’ve got a high demand for it. but in our current state of flux it’d be hard to manage it and pack house too. so, in effort to maneuver a bit around this.. i’m making some impromptu biz cards, so that the huz can direct everyone to our etsy shop, and they can order/pay that way, alleviating some issue. He’s still cringing about our prices, i want to charge more, and he’s wobbling about it. *sigh* there’s many road blocks. i’m not sure how to get around them
I came face to face with this question again this morning as I embarked on Q4 planning for my own biz. I’d been so focused on the move to Portland that I’d let my Biz revenue slip a bit and when I looked closely, I found myself with that question (again). The good news is that I was easily able to renew my commitment to my business. Watch out world!
Holy hannah, we’re on the same page this week with “Are you willing to do what it takes?” Mostly people think they are, which is why the right coach can make such a difference!